Elevated tent system

ABSTRACT

A suspendable structure is disclosed. The structure uses a floor panel structure that includes three flexible straps that cross one another, each of the straps including a first end and a second end, the first end having a connector that allows it to be attached to a tensioning device. A triangular flexible panel having three sides and corners where the sides of the triangle meet (at the vertices of the triangle) is in turn supported and stiffened through the flexible straps, each of which extends from one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel and terminating at or near the midpoint of the included side opposite to the corner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

This application relates to a system for creating an elevated housing structure. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method for creating an elevated structure using only flexible main components.

(b) Discussion of Known Art

The need for an elevated shelter structure has long been recognized. An example of such a structure is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,383,597 to Steiner. Steiner shows a tent that takes advantage of a hiking stick to hold the shape of the shelter. Steiner also discusses the supporting the device from trees without the use of the hiking stick, but in order to do so Steiner uses a triangular reinforcement perimeter that is tensioned from the corners of the triangular shape. That arrangement also uses a tensioning device along one of the sides of the triangular floor to further tighten the panel.

Other known devices include U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,638 Scott et al., which uses a system of straps mounted from spreader bars in a ladder-like arrangement. Thus it becomes apparent that the common approach at creating a suspended floor system involves the use of some sort of rigid component, such as a hiking stick or spreader bar, that are used to retain the shape of one of the edges of the floor. This approach addresses the problem of the catenary shape that is assumed by the suspended flexible components.

The problem with using rigid tensioning devices or spreader bars is that rigid components are often awkward to carry, especially when the device is to be carried deep into the woods through rough terrain. Accordingly, there is a need for a shelter system that can create an elevated floor and that does not require the user to carry rigid spreader bars or rods to retain the shape of the device when assembled.

Therefore, a review of known devices reveals that there remains a need for a simple system that can be used to create a floor or support surface that is elevated from the ground. There is a need for a system that takes advantage of a suspended or elevated floor for the creation of a suspended or elevated shelter. Still further, there remains a need for a system that allows the layering of suspended floors, and thus allows the creation of a multi-level shelter or blind for use in camping or hunting, or any other activity.

SUMMARY

It has been discovered that the problems left unanswered by known art can be solved by providing a suspendable floor panel structure that includes:

three flexible straps that cross one another, each of the straps including a first end and a second end, the first end having a connector that allows it to be attached to a tensioning device;

a triangular flexible panel having three sides and corners where the sides of the triangle meet (at the vertices of the triangle), each of the flexible straps extending from one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel and terminating at or near the midpoint of the included side opposite to the corner.

According to a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, the sides of the triangular flexible panel also include edge straps that extend along the sides of the triangular flexible panel. The edge straps may be attached to the triangular flexible panel in a co-planar manner, or they may be attached in a manner that results in the edge straps extending from the plane of the triangular flexible panel at approximately a right angle. Thus the edge traps will define a flexible perimeter frame for the device. The flexible perimeter frame will thus include corners at each of the vertices of the triangular flexible panel.

Tensioning straps will be connected to the corners of the flexible perimeter frame. The tensioning straps will in-turn allow attachment of the device from three trees or other vertical support elements. The tensioning straps will be used to provide a tension load to the vertices of the triangular frame. This tensioned frame will then provide support for the flexible straps, and thus provide support for the triangular flexible panel.

A shelter may be supported on the triangular flexible panel once the device has been mounted from trees and the vertices of the triangular frame have been tensioned. This shelter may be a conventional tent, such as the tent disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,509 to Kim, incorporated herein in by reference, which include self-supporting frames. Alternatively, it is contemplated that a tent, blind, or shelter that maximizes the used of the floor space created by the triangular flexible panel may also be provided.

In addition to the disclosed elevated floor system, a tent that has a generally triangular footprint is also disclosed. The footprint of this tent matches the size and shape of the triangular flexible panel. The tent includes three sides that follow the flexible perimeter frame, and includes an entrance at one of the vertexes of the triangular flexible panel. The entrance may be a flat wall that is parallel to a side of the triangle. The flat wall will include a door that can be closed by way of a zipper, hook and loop material, straps or other known closure devices. Poles may support the sides of the tent, and a center pole may be used to keep the roof elevated.

It should also be understood that while the above and other advantages and results of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, showing the contemplated novel construction, combinations and elements as herein described, and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it should be clearly understood that changes in the precise embodiments of the herein disclosed invention are meant to be included within the scope of the claims, except insofar as they may be precluded by the prior art.

DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention according to the best mode presently devised for making and using the instant invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrated without the use of a tent.

FIG. 1A illustrates the use of an aperture to allow access to successively layered installations of the disclosed invention, and illustrates the catenary-like deflection of the sides due to loads on the floor of the disclosed invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view looking down, at an angle, at the disclosed invention with a tent portion that cooperates with the elevated floor.

FIG. 3 illustrates the disclosed invention in use while supporting a tent.

FIG. 4 is a section taken from FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the section arrows shown on FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates the use of disclosed inventive principles to create a stacked arrangement of tent and floor structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLAR EMBODIMENTS

While the invention will be described and disclosed here in connection with certain preferred embodiments, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described here, but rather the invention is intended to cover all alternative embodiments and modifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims included herein as well as any equivalents of the disclosed and claimed invention.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2 where suspendable floor panel structure 10 for creating a planar surface 12 has been illustrated alone in FIG. 2, and with a shelter 14 on FIG. 2. The suspendable floor panel structure 10 will be particularly useful for items at a distance from a ground surface 16. According to a preferred example of the invention, the suspendable floor panel structure 10 cooperates with the shelter 14 to allow people to sleep at a distance over the ground, and thus avoiding floodwaters or nocturnal animals that may wonder onto a ground level tent. Additionally, the disclosed invention may be used as a blind for observing or hunting animals below.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that the floor panel structure 10 will be supported from three vertical supports, such as the trees 20 shown on FIG. 1. The floor panel structure 10 will be made from a triangular flexible panel 22 which is defined or bounded by three sides 24 that intersect to form the triangular shape of the triangular flexible panel 22. The sides 24 will meet or be in line with three corners 26 where the sides of the triangular flexible panel would meet. Each of the sides 24 includes a midpoint 28 at a location that is approximately mid-span, or mid-way, between two of the corners 26 along one of the sides 24.

FIGS. 1,2 and 4 illustrate that a preferred example of the invention will include a generally triangular perimeter 30 that extends from the triangular flexible panel 22. It is contemplated that the generally triangular perimeter will be made from flexible straps that are stronger and stiffer than flexible material of the triangular flexible panel 22. It is contemplated that the entire assembly will be made of fabric material, and thus the triangular perimeter 30 may be of a separate strap material that is sewn onto the sides 24 of the generally triangular flexible panel 22. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the straps that define the generally triangular perimeter 30 will preferably be attached to the triangular flexible panel 22 such that the generally triangular perimeter 30 extends from the generally triangular flexible panel at an angle 32. The illustrated angle may be achieved by joining the straps 34, which are preferably made of a strong woven material, that make up the triangular perimeter 30 such that each of the strap edges 36 lie along a plane, thus the first edge 38 and the second edge 40 will be along generally parallel planes. While FIG. 4 shows the straps 34 at a right angle to the generally triangular flexible panel 22, it is contemplated that the angle 32 will due to movement of the straps 34 due to the flexibility of the assembly. Twisting of the straps 34 has been illustrated as hypothetically being along arc 35. The joint between the straps 34 and the generally triangular flexible panel 22 has been shown as being reinforced by reinforcement strap 37.

FIG. 1 shows the use of three flexible floor straps 42 attached, preferably sewn into, the triangular flexible panel 22. The flexible floor straps 42 will preferably cross one another at an intersection point 44. Each of the straps 42 will include a first end 46 and a second end 48. The first end 46 of at least one of the straps will include a connector 50 that allows the strap to be attached or connected to a tensioning device 52, such as a ratchet and pawl mechanism. The second end 48 of each of the flexible floor straps 42 will terminate at the midpoint 28 of the included side opposite to the corner 26 from where the strap extends. Additionally, it is contemplated that each of the flexible floor straps 42 will be significantly stiffer than the material of the triangular flexible panel 22, and thus allowing the majority of the forces from the tensioning devices to be carried along the flexible floor straps 42 onto the sides of the triangular perimeter 30. In the accompanying drawings, the disclosed invention has been illustrated with safety straps 64, which are also wrapped around the supporting tree and prevent the complete loss of support in the event of the loss of one of the straps 34. It is contemplated that these safety traps 64 would be incorporated at each of the corners of the disclosed invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be understood that a shelter 14 may be assembled on the suspendable floor panel structure 10. The preferred method of creating the shelter 14 is by providing three wall panels 47 that will attach to the triangular perimeter 30 and extend up from the generally triangular perimeter 30. The wall panels 36 may be attached to the triangular perimeter by way of snaps, hook and loop material, zippers, hooks, or other suitable mechanical connectors. Additionally, a roof panel 48 that extends between the wall panels 47 to define the shelter will also be used. The roof panel 48 may be propped up by the use of a center pole 50, while the wall panels 47 may be held up by wall poles 53. An entrance 54 may be incorporated near one of the corners as illustrated in FIG. 2, or along one of the sides, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Although it is contemplated that a tent incorporated into the disclosed invention may be used without poles, it is contemplated that the center pole or the wall poles may be added by simply cutting deadwood found in the area where the disclosed invention is being used.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, it will be understood that the disclosed invention may be stacked, with several of the disclosed structures assembled one over the other between three trees. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 one of the floor structures has been installed over another, with the second layer acting as a platform that can be accessed from the lower layer through an aperture 62, illustrated in FIG. 1A. While the order of the layers may be reversed, FIG. 5 shows the tent arrangement positioned over a platform layer, and a wall 70 is used to enclose the area between the floor structures. The upper layer may be accessed through the opening 62 in the floor panel to facilitate access to the upper layer. It is also contemplated that two identical structures may also be stacked in this manner.

Thus it can be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of just a few of the numerous variations of arrangements of the disclosed elements used to carry out the disclosed invention. Moreover, while the invention has been particularly shown, described and illustrated in detail with reference to preferred embodiments and modifications thereof, it should be understood that the foregoing and other modifications are exemplary only, and that equivalent changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as claimed, except as precluded by the prior art. 

1. A suspendable floor panel structure for creating a planar surface at a distance from a ground surface, the floor panel structure being suspendable from three vertical supports, the floor panel structure comprising: a triangular flexible panel defined by three sides that intersect to form a triangular shape with three corners where the sides of the triangular flexible panel meet, each side having a midpoint at mid-span between two of the corners along each one of the sides; three flexible floor straps that cross one another, each of the straps including a first end and a second end, the first end having a connector that allows it to be attached to a tensioning device, each of the flexible floor straps being fixedly attached to the triangular flexible panel and extending from one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel and terminating at the midpoint of the included side opposite to the corner from where the strap extends; a first connector attached to one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel, and a pair tensioning mechanisms attached to the remaining two corners of the triangular flexible panel, so that attachment of the connector and tensioning mechanisms to the vertical supports allows tensioning of the flexible floor straps and the triangular flexible panel to create a floor surface defined by the triangular flexible panel held in tension by the flexible floor straps.
 2. A suspendable floor panel according to claim 1 wherein the sides of the triangular flexible panel also include flexible edge straps that extend along the sides of the triangular flexible panel.
 3. A suspendable floor panel according to claim 2 wherein the triangular flexible panel includes a generally triangular perimeter and the edge straps are attached to the triangular flexible panel in a co-planar manner with the triangular flexible panel.
 4. A suspendable floor panel according to claim 2 wherein the triangular flexible panel includes a generally triangular perimeter and the edge straps extend in a manner that results in the edge straps extend from the plane of the triangular flexible panel at approximately a right angle to create a flexible perimeter frame, the flexible perimeter frame will thus include corners at each of the vertices of the triangular flexible panel.
 5. A suspendable floor panel according to claim 4 and further comprising tensioning straps will be connected to the corners of the flexible perimeter frame. The tensioning straps will in-turn allow attachment of the device from three trees or other vertical support elements. The tensioning straps will be used to provide a tension load to the vertices of the triangular frame. This tensioned frame will then provide support for the flexible floor straps, and thus provide support for the triangular flexible panel.
 6. A shelter and suspendable floor panel structure for creating a planar surface with the shelter at a distance from a ground surface, the floor panel structure being suspendable from three vertical supports, the shelter and floor panel structure comprising: a triangular flexible panel defined by three sides that intersect to form a triangular shape with three corners where the sides of the triangular flexible panel meet, each side having a midpoint at mid-span between two of the corners along each one of the sides; a generally triangular perimeter extending from the triangular flexible panel, the generally triangular perimeter comprising flexible straps that are attached to the triangular panel such that the generally triangular perimeter extends from the generally triangular panel at a right angle; three flexible floor straps that cross one another, each of the straps including a first end and a second end, the first end having a connector that allows it to be attached to a tensioning device, each of the flexible floor straps being fixedly attached to the triangular flexible panel and extending from one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel and terminating at the midpoint of the included side opposite to the corner from where the strap extends; three wall panels extending from the generally triangular perimeter, and a roof panel extending between the wall panels to define the shelter; and a first connector attached to the triangular perimeter near one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel, and a pair tensioning mechanisms to the triangular perimeter near the remaining two corners of attached the triangular flexible panel, so that attachment of the connector and tensioning mechanisms to the vertical supports allows tensioning of the flexible floor straps and the triangular flexible panel to create a floor surface defined by the triangular flexible panel held in tension by the flexible floor straps.
 7. A shelter and suspendable floor panel structure according to claim 6 wherein the flexible floor straps terminate at and are connected to the triangular perimeter.
 8. A shelter and suspendable floor panel according to claim 7 and further comprising tensioning straps that are connected to the corners of the flexible perimeter frame.
 9. A shelter and suspendable floor panel according to claim 7 wherein said tensioning straps intersect one another at a hub, and the shelter further comprising a pole that extends from the hub to the roof panel, so that the roof panel is supported at a distance from the floor panel.
 10. A method for making a shelter and suspendable floor panel structure for creating a planar surface with the shelter at a distance from a ground surface, the floor panel structure being suspendable from three vertical supports, the method comprising: providing a triangular flexible panel defined by three sides that intersect to form a triangular shape with three corners where the sides of the triangular flexible panel meet, each side having a midpoint at mid-span between two of the corners along each one of the sides; forming a generally triangular perimeter extending from the triangular flexible panel, the generally triangular perimeter being formed by providing flexible straps and attaching the flexible straps to the triangular panel and to one another such that the generally triangular perimeter extends from the generally triangular panel at a right angle; stiffening the triangular flexible panel by attaching three flexible floor straps to the triangular flexible panel, each of the straps including a first end and a second end, the first end having a connector that allows it to be attached to a tensioning device, each of the flexible floor straps extending from one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel and terminating at the midpoint of the included side opposite to the corner from where the strap extends, so that a tension force transmitted to one of the flexible floor straps is transmitted by the flexible floor strap to the triangular perimeter; attaching a first connector to the triangular perimeter near one of the corners of the triangular flexible panel, and attaching a pair tensioning mechanisms to the triangular perimeter near the remaining two corners of the triangular flexible panel, so that attachment of the connector and tensioning mechanisms to the vertical supports allows tensioning of the flexible floor straps and the triangular flexible panel to create a floor surface defined by the triangular flexible panel held in tension by the flexible floor straps.
 11. A shelter and suspendable floor panel structure according to claim 6 wherein the flexible floor straps terminate at and are connected to the triangular perimeter.
 12. A shelter and suspendable floor panel according to claim 7 and further comprising tensioning straps that are connected to the corners of the flexible perimeter frame.
 13. A shelter and suspendable floor panel according to claim 7 wherein said tensioning straps intersect one another at a hub, and the shelter further comprising a pole that extends from the hub to the roof panel, so that the roof panel is supported at a distance from the floor panel. 